Baselworld is only a few weeks away. Getting the latest news is easy, Click Here for info on how to join the Watchuseek.com newsletter list. Follow our team for updates featuring event coverage, new product unveilings, watch industry news & more!

"No plan. No backup. No choice."

Film Synopsis:

Agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his elite team (Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, and Simon Pegg, ) go underground after a bombing of the Kremlin implicates the IMF as international terrorists. While trying to clear the agency's name, the team uncovers a plot to start a nuclear war. Now, to save the world, they must use every high-tech trick in the book..

My Take:

Blamed for the terrorist bombing of the Kremlin, IMF operative Ethan Hunt is disavowed along with the rest of the agency when the President initiates “Ghost Protocol.” Left without any resources or backup, Ethan must find a way to clear his agency’s name while hunting down the mysterious “Cobalt” the man believed to be behind the bombing as well as the orchestrator of a plot to start a nuclear war. To complicate matters further, Ethan is forced to embark on this mission with a team of fellow IMF agents he does not fully know. The mission has never been more real, more dangerous, or more impossible.

As a film lover I enjoy a variety of movies. I get satisfaction out of classic cinema, romance, comedy, drama and the like. I must admit that I have a bit of a soft spot for action thrillers. Sitting back and getting lost in a sci-fi action/spy piece like Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is right up my alley and makes for an entertaining bit of escapism. I own the first three installments in the Mission Impossible series on home video. I didn’t bother getting the first two on Blu-ray but picked up MI3 in Blu when it was originally released. I enjoy them all but going into this review my favorite in the series was MI3 with Mission Impossible a close second. Whether you like Tom Cruise or not there is no denying his status as a drawing power at the box office. I tend to like his films and would consider myself a fan. I didn’t get out to the theater to see this one but my son did and he recommended it highly. Well he was right. I thoroughly enjoyed Ghost Protocol. It adheres to the same formula that makes the other films in the series fun to watch. The plot is straight forward and follows Ethan Hunt and his team as they track down “Cobalt” a terrorist that represents a significant global threat.

There is plenty of action, cool gadgets and slick/stylish production elements to go along with a decent screenplay and a snappy pace as dictated by director Brad Bird. Along with Tom Cruise (who does many of his own stunts by the way) I found the cast, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg and Josh Holloway (wish he had a bigger role) that portray the new IMF Team to be right on the money. Pegg returns from MI3, now as a field agent, and adds some complimentary comic relief that isn’t silly or overplayed. It would be safe to say that I like Ghost Protocol as much as any big budget action flick. It’s edgy, fun and contains a couple of defining set pieces that genre fans are sure to appreciate.

Parental Guide:

**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

Audio: 100

Dynamics:

Low frequency extension:

Surround Sound presentation:

Clarity/Detail:

Dialogue Reproduction:

Video: 92

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

Resolution/Clarity:

Black level/Shadow detail:

Color reproduction:

Fleshtones:

Compression:

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol comes to Blu-ray Disc from Paramount featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 31 Mbps and lossless Dolby TrueHD 7.1 channel sound that has an average bitrate of 4.3 Mbps.

This is an excellent high definition video presentation that offers impressive transparent imagery. The wide angle shots of the various geographical locations look marvelous. Close ups reveal high level detail that allows the pores, stubble, peach fuzzy hair and subtle variations in the complexions of the cast to be perceivable. The texture on the surfaces of objects is just as defining which give them visibly apparent structure and tangible quality. The chromatic palette is deliberately subdued and held to primary use of black, grays, whites, and blues, with only splashes of deeper secondary hues that give it a cooler emphasis. Colors are cleanly rendered and appear natural overall. This is a high bitrate encoding that delivers superlative image resolution. Black levels and contrast are excellent and visible detail within dark backgrounds and shadows are equally as strong. The video has a gratifying and pristine quality that appears devoid of video related anomalies and artifacts.

Like the video quality the 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD soundtrack doesn’t disappoint. This is an engaging surround mix that utilizes the entire system to create a theater like experience. Sound staging is excellent as both the front and rear channels are seamlessly integrated so that sound effects traverse the room during the large set pieces. Dynamics are energy filled and impact felt with discerning articulation and resolute clarity. This is an aggressive mix that makes regular use of the subwoofer to accentuate its already strong dynamics. The result is that all points of contact seem to resonate with tactile low bass impact. The bombing of the Kremlin, the two car crashes, and the sandstorm are great examples. The quality of the bass is first rate as it is fills the room with clean, hard hitting, and deep resonating low frequency energy. Dialogue has definitive presence, with refining vocal character and excellent room penetration. Kudos to Paramount on this reference quality audio/video presentation that offers demonstration worthy material for those who like to show of their home theater systems.

Final Thoughts:

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is the fourth installment in the popular film series that stars Tom Cruise as IMF Agent Ethan Hunt. As a fan I looked forward to seeing it and am happy to report that it’s an excellent addition not only to the franchise but the genre as well. It’s edgy, fun and contains a couple of defining set pieces that enhance the thrill factor quite nicely. Speaking of thrilling, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol comes to Blu-ray via a solid offering from Paramount Home Entertainment that features reference quality high definition video, rip roaring 7.1 channel Dolby TrueHD lossless surround sound and a decent assortment of bonus supplements that look behind the scenes at the making of the film. I had a great time with Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol which makes for rewarding popcorn entertainment that comes highly recommended. Enjoy!

This was one of my favorite action flicks recently seen at the theater, so I am happy to see that the PQ and AQ are charting high on this blu-ray release. Watching movies is one of my favorite things to do, and it's releases like this one that make it so!

Good write up. Went to the cinema this winter with low expectations (the #4 sequel thing). Walked out very happy - I agree with your comments it was an exciting movie well worth the theater expense. After seeing your comments on the BR PQ/AQ - I'll be adding this to the collection.

Despite my well known low opinion of Tom Cruise's acting talents, I saw this one in the theater and was glad I did. As usual, Cruise was just good enough not to spoil the rest of the film for me. This entry in the Mission Impossible franchise has a powerhouse supporting cast, looks and sounds great, and is filled with action from beginning to end. 8 Stars out of 10.

Good review, I didn't get a chance to see MIGP in the theater darn it. I like the MI franchise a lot especially after the first one when a chubby Cruise transformed himself into a lean mean action machine and the films were non stop kick butt. I'm a Cruise fan I enjoy his films I own quite a few and look forward to owning MIGP. Also it's nice to see Birds first attempt at directing live action be such a success.

Does this BR preserve the AR of the IMAX scenes and go full screen or is it 2:25.1 all the way through?

The Dark Knight (also with a significant number of scenes filmed in IMAX) preserves the IMAX AR in those scenes and while those with constant AR projection systems complain, I really liked how those scenes filled up my entire screen.

Does this BR preserve the AR of the IMAX scenes and go full screen or is it 2:25.1 all the way through?

The Dark Knight (also with a significant number of scenes filmed in IMAX) preserves the IMAX AR in those scenes and while those with constant AR projection systems complain, I really liked how those scenes filled up my entire screen.

Thanks for the review. This is easily the best installment of the franchise. We saw it in IMAX and were quite impressed, and so placed it on immediate pre-order as soon as it was announced. It's good to see also that they did not skimp on this BR release, with full 7.1 HD audio and a host of bonus features.